Fall 2024 - EDUC 710 G002

Special Topics

Class Number: 5868

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2024: Thu, 4:30–9:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Variable units: 3, 4, 5.

COURSE DETAILS:

Autism: From Research to Practice

This course will examine in-depth the topic of autism and the challenge areas (individual- and environmental-level) that autistic students face within school and community contexts. We will discuss the characteristics and early identification of autism, and evidence-based strategies for supporting autistic students in the classroom and beyond.  The course will incorporate readings from special education and psychology (often using the medical model of disability) as well as readings that include first-person perspectives of autistic individuals and neurodiversity perspectives (emphasizing the social model of disability). 

We will meet synchronously each week on Burnaby Campus. Classes will be made up of instructor- and student-led discussions of relevant research and its application to practice. Students will create a portfolio of resources and an annotated bibliography paper on a topic of their choice.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

1) Students will gain a solid foundation of knowledge about autism and neurodiversity, the strengths exhibited and barriers faced by autistic individuals within school and community environments.

2) Students will develop a portfolio of resources for supporting autistic students and will produce a research paper on a topic of their choice (e.g., describing the evidence base for a particular strategy, or reviewing the literature on a controversy in the field).  The course will focus both on individual accommodations and interventions, and environmental adaptations to make learning settings more accessible to, and accepting of, autistic individuals.

You will note that above I used identity-first language, in line with what the majority of autistic individuals prefer. (Brown, L. The Significance of Semantics: Person-First Language: Why It Matters.  https://autisticadvocacy.org/about-asan/identity-first-language/?theme=activeLinks to an external site.).  In contrast, many of the seminal readings in the field of autism research, special education and psychology use person-first language.  We will discuss this tension throughout the semester

Grading

  • Posted discussion questions 20%
  • Posted responses to discussion questions 10%
  • Class presentation 20%
  • Contribution to portfolio of resources 20%
  • Annotated bibliography 30%

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

REQUIRED READINGS
Students are responsible for obtaining most of the papers (see for example SFU Library online search). Exceptions will be noted on the syllabus and readings that are not available through SFU library will be provided on Canvas.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Graduate Studies Notes:

Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.